MERCK FOUNDATION TRANSFORMS HEALTHCARE ACROSS AFRICA AND ASIA THROUGH MEDICAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Article By: Rorisang Mogojwe

Merck Foundation is driving a major transformation in healthcare delivery across Africa and parts of Asia through its landmark medical scholarship program. According to CEO Dr. Rasha Kelej, the Foundation has trained 2,270 doctors from 52 countries in 44 critical specialties—many of whom are the first specialists in their countries.

“This is a game-changer for public health,” said Dr. Kelej. “In many areas, patients had never seen a specialist before. Now, each trained doctor treats over 1,000 people a month.”

The scholarships cover high-demand fields such as oncology, diabetes, fertility, psychiatry, and emergency medicine, and are specifically targeted at doctors from remote and underserved regions to ensure nationwide impact beyond capital cities.

In addition to medical training, Merck Foundation is also focused on girls’ education, awarding 1,000 school scholarships in 17 African countries to help end child marriage and empower future health professionals.

Working in partnership with First Ladies and health ministries, the Foundation is building long-term capacity for equitable, accessible, and sustainable healthcare across the continent.